New York State Senate Passes Sodium Warning Bill, Advocates Push Assembly to Act

ALBANY, NY (05/05/2026) (readMedia)-- Today, the New York State Senate passed the Sodium Warning Bill (S428A/A5207A), legislation designed to strengthen menu transparency at restaurants statewide and help consumers make informed choices. Sponsored by Senate Health Committee Chair Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assemblymember Karines Reyes, the bill would mandate clear warning icons on chain restaurant menus for items that exceed the daily recommended sodium limit, marking a significant step toward reducing sodium intake and lowering New Yorkers' risk of chronic disease. The bill awaits debate on the Assembly floor.

New York City already requires chain restaurants to alert diners about high-sodium menu items using clear warning icons, which data shows help to increase customer awareness and reduce sodium content at stores. Fast food restaurants are predominately concentrated in communities of color, exposing children and families to high sodium content, linked to some of New York's leading causes of death, including obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke.

"The Center for Science in the Public Interest applauds the New York State Senate for prioritizing nutrition transparency for communities statewide. High sodium intake is a leading driver of hypertension and heart disease, yet consumers too often lack clear, accessible information when dining out. This legislation arms New Yorkers with the critical information they need to make healthier choices, while also encouraging restaurants to innovate and offer lower sodium options. We urge the Assembly to follow the Senate's example and pass this bill to protect New Yorkers' health," said CSPI Campaign Manager Dr. DeAnna Nara.

"I am very proud that my sodium warning bill has passed the Senate today. This proposal will require chain restaurants to label menu items with high sodium content and as a result, will help New Yorkers make informed decisions about their food when visiting chain restaurants," said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee and bill sponsor. "New Yorkers deserve clear information about the food they are purchasing and consuming so that they can make healthy choices for themselves and their family. It is my hope that the Assembly will follow our lead, so that the Governor can then sign it into law as soon as possible."

"As a nurse and a Bronx lawmaker, I witness the health consequences daily: rising hypertension and chronic diseases robbing kids of a healthy childhood. This isn't accidental, and it isn't a lack of willpower. Food giants have perfected a playbook that exploits language, cultural identity, and economic vulnerability to push harmful products onto families already stretched thin. We applaud the Senate for passing this bill, and now the Assembly must follow suit and put the burden back where it belongs: on the corporations profiting from this harm, not the communities bearing it," said Assemblymember Karines Reyes, R.N., prime sponsor of the Sodium Warning Bill.

"Today's Senate passage of legislation that would require sodium warning labels on chain restaurants menus marks a critical step forward for the heart health of all New Yorkers," said Neil Yager, D.O., MBA, cardiologist, and president of the board of directors of the American Heart Association in Albany. "High sodium intake is a leading contributor to high blood pressure-a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Clear, visible sodium warnings on chain restaurant menus will empower consumers to make more informed choices and help reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease across our state. We applaud the Senate for prioritizing public health and urge the Assembly to pass this legislation promptly."

Each year, New Yorkers spend upwards of $40 million on healthcare for diabetes and hypertension. In a recent letter to Albany lawmakers, former New York State and New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett endorsed the Sodium Warning Bill as part of a larger food reform package to close health disparities.

BACKGROUND

Sodium Warning Bill (S428A/A5207A): Empowers New Yorkers to make informed choices when dining out. This bill requires chain restaurants to display warning icons next to menu items containing more than the daily recommended sodium limit of 2,300 milligrams. By providing clear, accessible information to diners, the legislation aims to reduce sodium intake across the population, help address rates of chronic disease, and improve public health outcomes.

Why Sodium Reduction Matters:

• Hypertension Epidemic: Over 4.5 million adults in New York report having hypertension, with 79% of those individuals relying on medication to manage the condition?.
• Excess Sodium in Diets: Restaurant foods, on average, have more sodium per calorie compared to foods purchased in stores, making dining out a significant contributor to excessive sodium intake??.
• Chronic Disease Burden: Excessive sodium consumption increases the risk of hypertension, heart disease, and stroke, which are among the leading causes of death and disability in New York.
• New York City's Leadership: The sodium warning icon implemented in NYC chain restaurants in 2016 led to increased consumer awareness and modest reductions in sodium levels in newly introduced menu items??.
• Consumer Behavior: Warning labels help diners identify high-sodium foods and choose lower-sodium alternatives, supporting long-term health benefits??.

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